Say Goodbye To Your Passport If You Haven't Paid Off This Type Of Debt

If you're planning to use your U.S. passport any time soon, you may want to double check that your debts are paid. Parents, in particular, should be aware of new enforcement coming from the U.S. Department of State — those owing more than $2,500 in child support may have their passports revoked. In a statement to The Associated Press, the department said that individuals who owe $100,000 or more in child support will have their passports revoked imminently. Enforcement will then extend to those with smaller outstanding debts.

As of 2026, American passport-holders can travel to 179 countries without obtaining a visa beforehand. It is the 10th strongest passport in the world along with Iceland, according to the Henley Passport Index. While U.S. citizens don't need a passport to travel to this gorgeous Caribbean destination, it is required to travel anywhere beyond the nation's borders. According to the State Department, revocation notices will be sent directly by email or to the mailing address provided on the person's last passport application. It's important to note that, even after the debt is paid, the revoked passport is no longer valid and a new one must be issued. However, you should never throw away an expired or invalid passport, since it still holds valuable information.

Prior to this initiative, enforcement only impacted those seeking to renew their passports, according to the Associated Press report. This will continue, which means all applicants will need to settle their unpaid child support before they can receive a U.S. passport. The State Department is working with the Department of Health and Human Services (H.H.S.) to track those with outstanding balances over $2,500. 

The State Department told the Associated Press that "hundreds of parents" have already taken steps to repay their debts since it was first reported that passports would be revoked due to unpaid child support. "We are taking this action precisely to impel these parents to do the right thing by their children and by U.S. law," the statement continued. According to the State Department's website, parents are encouraged to contact the child support enforcement agency in their state, or any state where debt is owed, to make payment. However, even after debts are paid, it can take three weeks or more for the H.H.S. to update its records and notify the State Department.

After this step is complete, applicants are eligible for a new passport, but actually getting one takes time. The State Department estimates that the processing time to receive a new passport is currently four to six weeks, followed by mailing time. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks, and those with urgent travel plans within 14 days must make an appointment beforehand.

Americans abroad are not immune to child support debt enforcement and may have their passports revoked while traveling internationally. The State Department says that American passport-holders who receive a revocation notice will be required to visit the closest U.S. embassy or consulate. There, they may obtain travel documents to return to the U.S., but their passport will remain invalid until payments are received.